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Friendship and Home 



IN 



Poetry and Song 




Class 
Book 



11^ 



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CopyrightN"^ 



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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



ERRATA. 

Title page, read "of Youth" — not "to Youth," and "to 

Old-Age"— not "of Old-Age." 

Author also of "Mother in Poetry and Song." 

P. 8, 3d stanza read "make" my heart — not "makes." 

P. 16, 3d stanza read, "Who doth a heart possess," for 

the 2d line. In 3d line, read "cares" — not care." 4th 

stanza, 3d line, read "wanders" — not "wander." 4th line> 

read "long" — not " would." 



Friendship and Home 

In Poetry and Song 



BY 

GEORGE WASHINGTON NIMS 

Author of "A Keepsake More Precious Than Klondike Gold, 
"Golden Lines of Wisdom for the Young," "Uncle Reuben's 
Adventures Abroad," "Nims's Humorous Question-Book," 
"The Deserted Farm," "Sweetheart and Wife in Poetry 
and Song," "Forsaken by the World," "The 
Quartrain Instructor of Youth," "Nims's 
Humorous Epitaphs," "Mammon in 
Verse-Land," "Human Nature in 
Public and Private Lif e,"."The 
Counsellor to Youth and 
Friend of Old-Age," 
"The Declining Vil- 
lage,'' etc., etc. 



BOSTON, MASS. 

Press of E. L. Grimes Company 

122 Pearl Street 



T-^^^V. 






D-A 



LiBHARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copy Received 

NOV n 190^ 

Copyrlcnt E/^try 

CUSS/I XXc. ie. 

COPY B. 



COF>YRI<3H-r -IQOV 

OeoRcae w. NiM« 



C ontent g 

Page. 

Boston Welcomes You 5 — 6 

The Songs of Home My Mother Used to Sing. 5 — 7 

Friendship's Mementoes 8 — 9 

A Friend I'll Ne'er Forget 9 — 10 

The Home I Loved So Long Ago 10 — 11 

The Cot That Sheltered You and Me 11—12 

Summer Friends 12 — 13 

Don't Call That Man a Friend 13—14 

Choose a Friend 14 — 15 

I Might Have Had a Happy Home 15 — 16 

Thanksgiving Day in Our Old Farm-House 

Home 16—17 

The Friend I Love to See 17—18 

My Mansion Home 18 — 19 

My Old Friend Joe 19—20 

When Home So Pleasing Seems 20 — 21 

What Friend Can Do So Much for You 21 — 22 

The Old Homestead 22 

True Friends 23 

A Christian Home 23—24 

My Old New England Home 25 

The Moss-Grown Cot 25 — 26 

I'm Satisfied With Home 26—27 

The Model Home 27—28 

To Childhood's Home I'll Wander Back 

Again 29—30 

The Mansion on the Hill, Mother 30—31 

Where Can I Find So True a Friend 31—32 

I Would Not Love to Friendless Be 33 

The Model Friend 33—34—35 

I Love a Sunny-Hearted Friend 35 

Home and Friends 36 

Couplets 37—38 

Mother at Home 38 

If You Would Not a Friend E'er Lose 38—39 

Be Thankful For a Happy Home 39—40 

Home and Friends 40 — 41 

Unworthy Friends 41 — 42 

A Loveless Home 42 — 43 

Good Homes 43—44 

Now In a Mansion Home, I Dwell 44 — 45 

A Worthy Home, Indeed 45 — 46 

When Summer Friends are Few 46 

My Dear Old Home Just for To-night 46—47 



O How I Love a Friend That's Dear to 

Me 47—48 

Be Grateful For Friendly Deeds 49 

My Boyhood's Happy Home 49 — 50 

Then, What a Friend is Money 50—51 

My Old New Hampshire Home 52 — 53 

Our Old Log-Cabin Home 53 — 54 

No Friend Like Money Have I Found 54 

No Friend 54—55 

Childhood's Happy Home 55 — 56 



BOSTON WELCOMES YOU. 
(Old Home Week.) 

O sons and daughters of the Hub! 
To Boston wend your way, 

And for a season dwell where you 
First saw the light of day; 

Where friends you love, to greet you, wait- 
To you so fondly dear, 

Who for association's sake 
May shed a joyous tear. 

Come and review the hallowed past, 

When you in childhood played. 
And walk the streets where long ago 

Your childish feet have strayed; 
Where entertained, you'll daily be, 

And honored while you stay, 
For sunny hospitality 

With flowers will strew your way. 

Come, and Old Home Week's treats enjoy, 

That for a good-time tell. 
And seem at home where you were born, 

With friends who wish you well; 
And be of those who long again 

Comrades of old to greet, 
Who, in the city of your birth, 

You hope once more to meet. 

With old acquaintances of yore 

Sweet friendship's ties renew, 
And by-gone scenes love to recall 

With those to you so true; 
And golden days to memory dear 

In thought, live o'er again. 
When you with pleasure roamed, and you 

In childhood loved to train. 



Friendship and Home 

Yes, wander back again to a 

Fair city by the sea 
And view, with pride, historic sites 

So dear to liberty; 
Where freedom's brave defenders lived 

In stirring days of yore. 
And, once again, with gratitude 

Their memory adore. 



Yes! yes! to dear, old Boston roam, 

And proud of her, oh be! 
Whose name is known the wide world o'er — 

That patriots love to see; 
Come and be welcome everywhere 

Midst scenes so light and gay. 
Where you long — long ago so loved 

To pass the time away. 



THE SONGS OP HOME MY MOTHER USED TO 
SING. 

How I in fancy love to hear the songs 

My mother used to sing 
Of "home, sweet home/' that makes my heart as 
light 

As merry birds in spring. 
When in the cottage of my youth, in thought, 

I seem to be again— 
Aye, in the dear old home I loved so well 

When I was wont to train! 



Refrain: 
How I in fancy love to hear the songs 

My mother used to sing 
Of "home, sweet home," that makes my heart as 
light 
As merry birds in spring! 



The songs my mother used to sing, how sweet! 

How pleasing to my ear! — 
The bright and joyous songs of long ago. 

That I so loved to hear; 



Friendship and Home 

The hallowed lays that pleased me when a child, 

When sunny was my lot. 
That to my heart endeared my cottage home, 

Which never' 11 be forgot. 

What would I give to hear her sing again 

The songs so dear to me — 
The loving words that lulled me oft to sleep 

When sitting on her knee; 
That made me early love and venerate 

The sacred name of home — 
The name that I shall never cease to love 

Wherever I may roam. 



THE FRIENDS I USED TO KNOW. 

While sitting by my cosy hearth, 

How sweet it seems to me 
When lightly drifts the winter snow 

On mountain, hill and lea, 
To think again of those I love, 

Of friends my boyhood knew, 
Who played with me when I was young 

And to their vows were true! 

How pleasing to recall the friends 

That I have ne'er forgot. 
With whom I often strolled when bright 

And sunny was my lot; 
When in a rustic ville I dwelt, 

Far from the city's din. 
Where those wiio tread in justice' paths 

Unfriendly seemed to sin! 

What hallowed scenes come back again 

To comfort and to cheer. 
As I in fancy see once more 

The friends to me so dear; 
While in my old arm-chair I sit 

And think of days of yore. 
Of happy seasons of the past 

That I shall live no more! 



10 Friendship and Home 

So while I can in fancy see 

The friends my childhood knew — 
The joyous friends I love so well, 

Who were so kind and true; 
I'll oft recall life's sweetest hours 

And keep their memory green, 
And seem to be a boy again 

In many a pleasing scene. 



FRIENDSHIP'S MEMENTOES. 

How sweet it seems in lonely hours, 

With love to fondly gaze 
On friendship's mementoes so dear, 

Which speak of by-gone days; 
Of memories that ne'er grow old 

And pleasures ever new, 
Of friends, of unforgotten friends, 

That never were untrue! 

When gazing on some treasured ring, 

What pleasing joys return. 
When in imagination, we 

Some sweetheart's face discern; 
When pondering o'er quaint relics old. 

The gifts of love sincere. 
Which seem to grow, as time rolls on, 

More precious and more dear! 

How satisfying to the heart 

When stars do brightly glow, 
To trace again in trinkets dear 

The friends we used to know; 
With fancy's aid to live again 

Life's most endearing hours, 
And roam through friendship's cherished vales, 

That gleam with memory's flowers! 

What rapturous joys and welcome scenes 

Return, with fond delight, 
To cheer the heart when doting on 

Some old familiar sight; 



Friendship and Home ii 

When tracing in some locket rare, 

A mother's loving face — 
That thoughtless time or crippling age 

Its lines will ne'er efface! 

What ecstacies! what soothing joy 

We never cease to feel 
Whenever we with presents dear 

'Round friendship's altars kneel; 
When conning o'er some favorite book 

Some loved one Idndly gave, 
Who long ago was gently laid 

Down in the cold, cold grave! 

So, as we slowly journey on 

Life's highway to the tomb. 
May friendship's cherished flowers ne'er fade 

And die, but sweeter bloom; 
May its mementoes ne'er by love — 

Sweet love — forgotten be. 
While memory charms and we can still 

Its hallowed tokens see. 



A FRIEND I'LL NE'ER FORGET. 

However sad my lot in life. 

How drear my future be; 
Though I with fortune sup, or roam 

With cold adversity. 
My Mary dear, I'll ne'er forget — 

A friend to me so true— 
Wherever I may dwell or roam. 

Whatever I may do. 

Though she beneath the turf had long 

Ago been laid to rest. 
Still, in my heart her memory 

Would be a welcome guest; 
For how could I forget a friend — 

A wife so dear to me — 
Who for me loves to kindly feel 

And my sweet smiles to see? 



12 Friendship and Home 

While I prize love and gratitude 

I'll daily think of her, 
Who is the sunlight of my heart 

And its refreshing myrrh; 
For why should I ungrateful act 

Toward one I love so well, 
With whom, when we from earth have passed, 

I hope to always dwell? 

My Mary I shall ne'er forget 

While I can love and feel. 
And at fond memory's altars I 

Am privileged to kneel; 
So long as I can think of one 

So kind and good to me, 
I'll bear her constantly ir mind. 

And act, aye, gratefully. 



THE HOME I LOVED SO LONG AGO. 

How sweet it seems to wander back again 

To scenes where I was born. 
To tread once more the soil I oft have trod 

Lo! in life's early morn; 
When, everywhere, I see the blooms of spring 

And lilacs love to blow. 
And I can view again the happy home 

I loved so long ago. 

Refrain: 

Ah, yes! how sweet it seems to view again 
The home where I was born. 

And fancy I have seen the friends I love- 
Alas! now dead and gone. 

At the front-door I see my mother stand. 

Where morning glories grew. 
And, working in the garden, handy by. 

My father, kind and true; 
While on the door-yard's coat of living green. 

With playmates dear, I train, 
And in imagination seem to live 

My childhood o'er again. 



Friendship and Home 13 



I see the swallows 'neath the old barn eaves 

And hear the whip-poor-will, 
And listen to the robin's cheery notes 

Down by the cider-mill; 
And, as of yore, I see the cowslips bloom 

In meadows bright and green, 
Where bob-o'-liuks can sing so merrily 

And I so oft have been. 

Ah, yes! how sweet it seems to view again 

The home w^here I was born. 
And fancy I have seen the friends I love — 

Alas! now dead and gone; 
How fondly sweet to think that I have seen 

The home so well I know — 
The home that I can ne'er forget — the home 

I loved so long ago! 



THE COT THAT SHELTERED YOU AND ME. 

O brother dear! but yesterday I saw 

The cot that sheltered you and me. 
The little cot with ivy running o'er. 

Where oft we played so merrily 
When trying care and trouble roamed afar, 

And many a merry joke was sprung. 
Where pleasure whiled life's balmy hours away 

And we the songs of childhood sung. 

Refrain: 
O brother dear! but yesterday I saw 

The cot that sheltered you and me. 
The little cot with ivy running o'er. 

Where oft we played so merrily. 

But yesterday I sat me down again 

Beside the hearthstone, old and gray, 
Where you and I the quiet games of youth 

In wfnter-time so oft would play; 
When faces old to me again appeared. 

And voices sweet I seemed to hear — 
The voices of the friends we loved so well. 

Of father and of mother dear. 



14 Friendship and Home 

When musing there beneath, its storm-worn roof 

I thought my brother dear of you, 
Of the sad changes thoughtless time had wrought 

Since we were comrades, tried and true; 
How I had not, when you haS prosperous been- 

How you ne'er felt the pangs of want, 
But, like the fickle world, alas! you loved 

Too well to criticise and taunt. 

When sad misfortune preys upon my mind 

And dreary seems life's changing sky. 
How I in fancy love to wander back 

Beneath its humble roof to lie; 
The golden days of yore to live again, 

When we were happy, young and free, 
Within a home that never'U b3 forgot — 

The cot that sheltered you and me! 



SUMMER FRIENDS. 

While you are prosperous, you can 

On summer friends depend, 
While you are standing on your feet 

And gold desire to lend; 
So long as you with plenty dine 

And live and dress in style, 
They'll not refuse, when so desired. 

An hour with you to while. 

While you are fond of treating them 

And freely love to give. 
They'll not forget to notice you 

Wherever you may live; 
So long as you have scrip to burn 

And gold to throw away. 
They'll stick like bark on an oak-tree 

And from you never stray. 

While you a good appearance make 

And are a friend to show. 
While you good-natured love to be 

And how to please them, know; 
So long as they believe that you 



Friendship and Home 15 

Are well supplied with gold, 
They'll stand by you and boldly swear 
Their love will ne'er grow cold. 

But when reverses come, how changed! 

How quickly then they flee; 
The very friends you counted on 

You look in vain to see. 
Where are they then?— these hypocrites, 

Deserving of the name — 
Why, they have disappeared and gone 

In search of other game. 



DON'T CALL THAT MAN A FRIEND. 

Don't call that man a friend, who loves 

Behind your back to talk, 
Unless you like to play the fool 

And decency to shock; 
But rather act as wisdom would— 

Be careful what you say, 
If you would on the safe side dwell 

And not be led astray. 

Don't call that man a friend, who dares 

Your faults to advertise, 
So long as you are one who can 

The laws of honor prize; 
While you look down on what is mean, 

Contemptible and low, 
And seeds of sinfulness in life 

You do not wish to sow. 

Don't call that man a friend, who leaves 

You when misfortune comes. 
When you, perchance, are forced to dwell 

In penury's cheerless slums; 
For, if you do, you'll play the part 

Aye, of short-sightedness. 
By running after one who ne'er 

Your lowly lot will bless. 



1 6 Friendship and Home 

Don't call that man a friend, who twits 

You of mistakes you've made, 
While you have self-respect, and your 

Fair name v/ould not degrade; 
But look upon him as a foe 

And love to guarded be, 
While you no pleasure ever find 

In acting foolishly. 



CHOOSE A FRIEND. 

Better 'mong those ne'er choose a friend 

Who'll not for others feel, 
That in the realm of usefulness 

O'erlooks the public weal; 
But 'mong the kindly-hearted seek 

And friends worth having know, 
If you would not make a mistake 

And seeds of folly sow. 

Better 'mong those ne'er choose a friend 

Who hearts of steel possess, 
That never care the lot of the 

Unfortunate to bless; 
But 'mong those who desire to aid 

The cripple and the weak, 
If you would sense and wisdom please, 

And like a wise man speak. 

Better 'mong those ne'er choose a friend 

Who far from goodness strays. 
That wander from sweet virtue's paths 

And would with meanness stays; 
But 'mong those who uprightly walk 

And for a good name care, 
If you love to act sensibly 

And honor's colors wear. 

Better 'mong those ne'er choose a friend 

Who would act miserly, 
That from bad habits never strives 



FricndsJiip and Home 17 

Or longs, lo, to be free; 
But 'mong those who can generous act 

And scatter sunshine's seeds. 
If you desire to be esteemed 

By those who do good deeds. 

Better 'mong those ne'er choose a friend 

Whose aims in life aie low, 
Who loves to grin at one who must 

In boggy meadows mow; 
But 'mong those who can sympathize 

And shed a kindly tear, ' 

If you desire to nobly live 

And to act basely, fear. 



I MIGHT HAVE HAD A HAPPY HOME. 

I might have had a happy home 

But for my foolish wife. 
Who was a friend to fretfulness 

And never-ending strife; 
Who in hot-water loved to be — 

She liked to gossip so — 
That made her neighbors t;ccwi and filled 

My soul with bitter woe. 

I used to wonder why her tongue 

Could fly so rapidly. 
When none, alas! had angered her 

And I was meek's a bee; 
When 1 was deeply sighing for 

A little happiness. 
That long from me had kept away — 

I must with pain confess. 

So fond was she of dress and show 

She often drained my purse, 
That made me long for my last ride 

In death's oft-dreaded hearse. 
To fashion she was such a slave, 

And to society. 
That from her presence, I admit, 

I often longed to flee. 



i8 Friendship and Home 



To her, vain style was everything, 

So where did I come in? 
Oh! never mind. But this I knew 

She wasn't too good to sin; 
Because she cared no more for home 

Than she did for a fly— 
And less, indeed, for me, when 1 

Her wants could not supply. 

So who can wonder why I longed 

To have a happy home? 
Why I, alas! far, far away 

Did often long to roam? 
Where I might possibly forget 

That I e'er wed a wife 
Who, than of home, thought more, indeed. 

Of empty show and strife. 



THANKSGIVING DAY IN OUR OLD FARM- 
HOUSE HOME. 

Down in our farm-house home, oh, what 

A happy time we had 
When all the smiles of kindness wore 

And none looked lone or sad! 
Because it was Thanksgiving Day, 

That comes but once a year, 
To bless the home we'll ne'er forget — 

The home to memory dear. 

How father and how mother smiled 

On this inviting day. 
When happiness was trump and our 

Young hearts were light and gay! 
So pleased they seemed to knov/ that we 

So light and happy felt 
In the old home where they so oft 

In prayer have humbly knelt. 



How on the turkey we did feast. 

And on the pudding, too. 
Because 'twas only once a year 



Friendship and Home , 19 

This treat was ours, we knew; 
How dull and dumpish we appeared 

When we could eat no more. 
When we began to think we ought 

To fall down on the floor! 

Now when Thanksgiving days return 

They find us far away, 
Far from the home our childhood knew, 

Now we are old and gray; 
But we have ne'er forgot the home 

We loved so long ago, 
Or good old turkey-time when cold 

The winds of autumn blow. 



THE FRIEND I LOVE TO SEE. 

The friend I love to see Is one 

Who has a sunny heart, 
And from the joys of cheerfulness 

Has no desire to part; 
Who dares to stand up for the truth 

And on base acts looks down, 
And on the sins of treachery 

Is not ashamed to frown. 

Who loves to keep good company 

And sunshine's seeds to sow, 
And in the realm of knowledge strives 

Of wisdom more to know,* 
Whose word can be relied upon, 

No matter when or where, 
And on the stage of life doth not 

Two faces wish to wear. 

Who knoweth how to justly judge, 

And not by style and gold, 
Like those Avho would the lowly poor. 

Aye, leave out in the cold; 
Who never carries scandal's news, 

Or mischief loves to breed, 
Or oa insipid gossip's food 

Is ever known to feed. 



20 Friendship and Home 



Who can with others sympathize 

And for another feel. 
And, in the varied marts of trade, 

Believes in a fair deal; 
Who to dumb animals is kind 

And to his rivals fair. 
And for the helpless and the weak 

Is not the last to care. 

Who never likes to twit and slur, 

Or vulgar language use, 
Or to be one who has to do 

With mischief-making news; 
Who never would be quarrelsome, 

Or ill-treat any one. 
Or of misfortune be of thoso^ 

Alas! who would make fun. 

Who loves to be agreeable. 

But never bold and rude. 
And, where not wanted, never dares, 

Or longs lo, to intrude; 
Who strives to live the golden rule 

And to please righteousness. 
And bright and happy seems when he 

His fellow-men can bless. 

MY MANSION HOME. 

My mansion home of long ago 

I'm thinking of to-night. 
While by my attic fire I muse 

And watch the embers bright; 
When on the window-pane is heard 

The sound of winter rain, 
And I, to pass the time away, 

Live in the past again. 

Pi,efrain: 
My mansion home of long ago 

I'm thinking of to-night, 
While by my attic fire I muse 

And watch the embers bright. 



Friendship and Home 21 

Again I see its stately walls. 

So pleasing to the eye, 
And, in the drawing-room, the friends 

Who 'neath the cold sod lie; 
While once again, with one I love, 

I walk the marble floor 
Just as I did long years ago 

In golden days of yore. 

Its costly furnishings, so prized, 

And paintings old and rare, 
Remind me of more prosperous days 

When I could diamonds wear; 
Ere demon drink robbed me of all 

And left me penniless. 
Who oft with wealth was pleased to dine 

When I could richly dress. 

My mansion home is standing still. 

But little changed to-day, 
Where strangers— strange to me — now pass 

Life's sunny hours away; 
The home where wealth and plenty reign, 

Where I was pleased to dwell, 
Ere thro' the "cup" I lost my home— 

The home I love so well. 



MY OLD FRIEND JOE. 

I love to think of you, my old friend Joe, 

Of one so kind and good— that I love so; 

With w^hom full many a golden hour I've whiled 

When blustering winter howled and summer smiled 

So faithful you have always been to me, 

When plenty cheered or frowned adversity; 

So pleasing to my heart, I love to praise 

The genial friend I've loved from childhood's days. 

A model friend, indeed, you e'er have been. 
Who wisely walks and frowns on what is mean. 
Believing in what can uplift and bless, 
And in the noble cause of righteousness; 



22 Friendship mid Home 

While striving to be always wise and just, 
As those who in the righteous love to trust; 
Of whom sweet friendship is so justly proud. 
With goodly traits you were so well endowed. 

Ah, yes! my old friend Joe, to me so dear, 

Who thro' so many years has been so near, 

Of you I love to think and fairly praise — 

The constant friend I've loved from childhood's days; 

Because you ai:e the ideal of my heart, 

From whom I know^ I'll never wish to part, 

So long as I the worth of friendship prize 

And I shall bide among the just and wise. 



WHEN HOME SO PLEASING SEEMS. 

When home so pleasing seems, you see. 
Is when its inmates can agree 
And from contention would be free. 

When love is never out of sight 

And its warm rays are wondrous bright. 

And all desire lo, to do right. 

When no discordant sounds are heard 
And none are ever meanly slurred. 
But peace charms like a singing bird. 

When ugly words seem out of place 
Where virtues love to cheer and grace, 
And all would show a sunny face. 

When all know how to happy feel 
And at the shrine of comfort kneel. 
And with each other fairly deal. 

When none are slaves to vanity 
And from abuse are wholly free. 
Like one who courteth harmony. 

When in ill treatment none believe 
Or needlessly a heart would grieve, 
Or wish to injure or deceive. 



Friendship and Home 23 



When all for one another care 
And fond affection's tokens wear. 
And. like the prosperous, kindly fare. 



WHAT FRIEND CAN DO SO MUCH FOR YOU? 

What friend can do so much tor you 

As mammon when in need, 
When pennyless, and none for you 

Will do a kindly deed; 
When you are homeless and despised 

By those who judge by gold, 
And sad misfortune forces you 

To sleep out in the cold? 

What friend can do so much for you 

When you have debts to pay, 
And creditors are cross, and you 

Know not, to turn, which way; 
When sickness comes and you are shunned, 

And left, perhaps, to die; 
When you, forgotten by the world, 

With poverty dost lie? 

What friend can do so much for you 

When wedded you become, 
Aye, what can then like mammon aid 

In beautifying home; 
Or so enable you to live 

As human beings should. 
And cause your feet to stand 

Where men of means have stood? 

What friend can do so much for you, 

Should you in business fail, 
Or, v/hat can fill its place when you 

A pauper's lot bewail; 
What can make you esteemed again 

Or set you on your feet, 
Or cause the world to bow and smile 

Like friends you used to greet? 



24 Friendship and Home 

What friend can do so much for you, 

Or make men sweeter smile. 
Or quicker aid you when you long: 

To promenade in style; 
And when at last to death, you bow, 

And you have said "good-bye," 
What can for j^our remains so grand 

A mausoleum buy? 



THE OLD HOMESTEAD. 

To the old homestead of my childhood, I 

In fancy often love to roam. 
To old familiar scenes my bo/hood knew 

Around my old ancestral home; 
To view again the hill-side and the stream. 

The rocks and riils and meadows fair. 
As in the happy days gone by, so dear. 

When I was young and free from care. 

Refrain: 
To the old homestead of my childhood, I 

In fancy love to often roam, 
To old familiar scenes my boyhood knev/ 

Around my old ancestral home. 

I love to wander through those shady haunts 

Where oft my childish feet have strayed, 
To linger on the playgrounds of my youth, 

Where I've so often danced and played; 
To sit beneath the maple's cooling shade 

'Mid old associations dear, 
With comrades that I nevermore shall see. 

And sing the songs I loved to hear. 

In contemplation oft I wander back 

To live my childhood o'er again 
With parents kind and fond companions dear, 

On the old homestead by the lane; 
To sit beside the hearthstone's genial fire 

In the cottage where I was born, 
Upon the old plantation, as of yore. 

To live sweet seasons past and gone. 



Friendship and Home 25 

TRUE FRIENDS. 

When cold misfortune visits you 

And you in need may be, 
True friends will not forsake you then, 

Or from you wish to flee; 
Though empty be your purse, they'll not 

Forget to notice you, 
And, as they were in prosperous days, 

Be ever just and true. 

WTien trials come and trouble frowns 

A helping hand they'll lend, 
And when you need a brother's aid 

Will cheerfully befriend; 
However fierce life's storms may beat — 

How" loud its billows roar. 
They'll by you bravely stand till what 

You dreaded so is o'er. 

When the cold, selfish world at you 

Is prone to basely frown. 
And underhanded enemies 

Desire to drag you down; 
Then they will not, like summer friends, 

Believe all that they hear. 
And when you sin, than damn, 

Would rather shed a tear. 

So doubly grateful you should be, 

If you have friends so true, 
On whom you ever can rely — 

As they, indeed, are few; 
While you admire a noble mind 

And gratitude revere; 
So long as honor you esteem 

And faithfulness hold dear. 



A CHRISTIAN HOME. 

A place where Christ is not debarred 

And God a welcome finds. 
And round the social hearth, sweet love 



26 Friendship and Ho me 

Its tendrils daily twines; 
Where harmony delights to dwell 

With peace and gentleness, 
And all desire to friendly act 

And toward the tiiith to press. 

Where thoughts of Heaven can sunshine bring- 
To those who love to trust 

Lo! in the promises of One 
Whose words will never rust; 

Where all would live the golden rule 
And one another bless, 

And, never knowingly, the rules 
Of faithfulness transgress. 

Where jealousy is never known 

To play a cruel part, 
And cold, unfeeling envy ne'er 

Has fired a poisonous dart; 
Where cheerfulness deliglits to reic?n 

And justice feels at home, 
And none in search of happiness 

Is ever known to roam. 

Where meanness is unpopular. 

As it deserves to be. 
And none desire to lightly speak 

Of sunny charity; 
Where none are prone to twit and slur, 

But love lo, to be kind, 
And follow in the steps of one 

Who has with goodness dined. 

Where sacred things are justly prized 

And holy thoughts revered, 
And loving hearts to what is good 

And pure are most endeared; 
Where righteous living is esteemed. 

And kindly deeds as well. 
And all in unison from day 

To day are pleased to dwell. 



Friendship and Home 27 

MY OLD NEW ENGLAND HOME. 

O how I love to wander back again, 

Back to my old New England home, 
Down in a flowery vale among the hills 

Where I in childhood loved to roam 
Through old familiar fields and wild woods cool, 

In summer's balmy days of yore, 
When hopeful youth and happiness were mine 

And I dwelt on life's sunny shore! 

Chorus: 
O how I love to wander back again, 

Back to my old New England home, 
Down in a flowery vale among the hills 

Where I in childhood loved to roam; 
Upon the sacred soil of liberty. 

Of Lexington and Bunker Hill, 
Upon the soil our Pilgrim fathers trod— 

And their descendants ever will! 

In contemplation, oft I sit me down 

In the farm-house my boyhood knew, 
Beneath the humble roof that sheltered me 

My childhood's joyous season through; 
To see my mother in her old arm-chair 

And father's genial voice to hear, ■ 
And, as I fondly muse, to live again 

The golden hours to me so dear. 

So proud, I'll ever be of being born 

And reared in a New England home— 
The birthplace of so many famous men 

And women, who no longer view 
Its valleys green or climb its rocky hills, 

But who have to distinction rose 
In all the varied walks of human life, 

As trusty information knows. 

THE MOSS-GROWN COT, MOTHER. 

The moss-grown cot again I see. 

My childhood's happv home, 
Near by the verdant fields where oft 



28 friendship and Home 

My careless feet did roam. 
The cot I loved when I was young 

How still to-day it seems, 
But as of old upon the pane 

The summer sunshine beams! 

Refrain: 

The moss-grown cot to memory dear, 
My childhood's happy home, 

Near to my heart will always be 
Wherever I may roam. 

Again I hear the self-same jol:es 

My father used to tell, 
When summer smiled aad winter frowned- 

The jokes I loved so well; 
When in the evening I sat near 

The hearthstone's genial fire— 
- My only brother by my side, 

Arrayed in plain attire. 

Methinks I hear again a voice 

That often solaced me — 
Ah, yes! 'in fancy I behold 

Life's dearest friend to me; 
Whose loving smiles come back again, 

As in bright days of yore, 
Like rays of joy that in my heart 

Will live forevermore. 

I see the morning-glories bloom 

Beside our old front-door. 
While on the gate the robin siTigs 

And swallows skim and soar; 
Though far away I'm dwelling now, 

The little moss-grown cot. 
That sheltered me in childhood's days, 

Will never be forgot. 



I'M SATISFIED WITH HOME. 

Let others roam where'er they will- 
It matters not to me — 



Friendship and Home 29 

O'er mountains or through plains, afar 
Across the '*deep blue sea"— 
I'm satisfied with home. 

The' others love to visit cluos 

To while the time awa>, 
Or out-of-doors had rather be 

With those who love to stra>— 

I'm satisfied with home. 

Let others talk about saloons 

And to the tavern go, 
Or wander 'neath the pale, pale moon 

When evening zephyrs blow — 

I'm satisfied with home. 

Tho' others lightly speak of it 

And, even sneer at me, 
And laugh at my expense, because 

I can't with them agree — 

I'm satisfied with home. 

However humble it may be 

My love will never wane, 
Tho' others pass unkind remarks 

To cause me needless pain — 

I'm satisfied with home. 

Tho' I bo slighted by the proud, 

When in adversity, 
Or flattered and respected when 

I sail on plenty's sea— 

I'm satisfied witli home. 

THE MODEL HOME. 
The model home is found where those abide 

That by uprightness stand, , ,. ^,, 

Where one, by love and kindness swayed, delights 

To lend a" helping hand; 
Where children to obey are ever prompt 

When dutv bids them to. 
When its inmates to truth and righteousness 

Ar^ willing to be true; 



30 Friendship and Home 

Where love and sunshine find a welcome warm 

And spotless virtues bide. 
Where those who frown on vanity and siu 

With right and honor side; 
Where the sweet influence of peace and joy 

Is felt by night and day, 
And haughty pride and cruel selfishness 

Have no desire to stay; 

Where language, harsh and vile, is never heard 

Or low desires that blight. 
Are countenanced or nursed, but purity's lamp 

Is cheery, clear and bright; 
Where pessimism's gloomy fears do not 

Becloud a hopeful mind, 
But literature that elevates and guides, 

The wise and good can find; 

Where one, another loves to please, and smiles 

Bid care and trouble flee, 
Where hate and slander never come to curse. 

Or ugliness and jealousy; 
Where 'neath the sway of gentle kindness, life 

Worth living seems indeed, 
When its inhabitants, in what endears, 

Desire to nobly lead; 

Where smiling faces with good-nature charm 

And scowls are never seen, 
Where one will seek in vain to find what is 

Ignoble, base and mean; 
Where parents, worthy of the name, their young 

They guard and rightly rear. 
And for the ills of life is seen to flow 

The sympathetic tear. 

So, fortunate indeed are they who dwell 

Lo, in a model home. 
Where happiness and love reside, from which 

They never long to roam; 
Where cherished peace and sunshine captivate, 

And joy and comfort cheer — 
That its blest inmates think on earth 

The spot to them most dear. 



Friendship and Home 31 

TO CHILDHOOD'S HOME I'LL WANDER BACK 
AGAIN. 

To childhood's home I'll wander back again, 

To a lone village far away, 
With one I love in golden autumn-time— 

Where I in childhood loved to stay— 
When forests fair with charming colors please 

And rural nature's blooms so sweetly smile, 
Where when a child, from care and trouble free, 

Life's rosy hours I loved to while; 

For I would walk its hallowed streets, as I 

In by-gone days loved to so well, 
And, in the moss-grown cottage of my youth. 

Just for an hour with memory dwell. 
For with my own sweet Mamie dear, I long 

To wander where my childish feet 
Have trod, among its flowers bright and gay. 

When I fond playmates used to greet. 

Back to its pleasant shades and sunny greens 

Oh, may it be my lot to roam, 
That I may from the city's din be free 

And view once more my childhood's home! 
For life's unwelcome cares I would forget 

When strolling through its fields so fair- 
Ay, when at memory's unforgotten scenes 

I love again to fondly stare. 

The haunts my childhood knew I long to see- 
However changed to-day they seem— 

Old Princeton hill, the mead and village-green, 
The brook, the mill-pond and the stream; 

The shady nooks where love and pleasure cheered, 
The Roper farm and Bailey brook, 

Which seem as dear as ever still, though I 
Long years ago these scenes forsook. 

The pleasing sights that charmed me when a boy, 
W^hich never'll from my memory fade, 

The lowly cot so pleasing to my heart, 
The woodland's cool and mossy glade; 



32 Friendship and Home 

The orchards and the rustic gardens fair. 

The pottery-shop, to-day so still, 
The cosy playgrounds, that I oft recall, 

And fishing haunts and old grist-mill. 

So to the village of my childhood's days 

I'll gladly wander back again, 
And fancy I am j^oung while strolling where, 

With those I love, I used to train; 
Though childhood's friends and playmates kind and 
dear 

Will not be there to welcome me. 
Still with my Mamie dear, I'll happy feel. 

If I its hills and dales can see. 



THE MANSION ON THE HILL, MOTHER. 

Mother, to-day I visited 

The mansion on the hill. 
Where you and I, long years ago. 

Of sunshine had our fill; ; 
Y/here love and sweet contentment cheered. 

And comfort chose to stay 
Through frosty winter's chilly night 

And summer's gladsome day. 

I saw once more the drawing-room 

Where, with sweet fancy's aid, 
Your pleasing form again appeared, 

Yv^here I in childhood played; 
And golden hours of by-gone days 

I seemed to live again, 
When I with playmates, tried and true, 

So loved to romp and train. 

And oh! while 'neath its vine-clad roof 

What joys returned to me, 
What thoughts came flying back of one 

I never m.ore shall see! 
Of you, my mother dear, so gocd, 

So faithful and so true, 
Who with me lived the rosy hours 

My happy boyhood knew. 



Friendship and Home 33 

Your deeds of love and watcbful care 

And chidings just and wise, , 

Again fond memory recalled-— 

That I so dearly prize; 
And many a pleasing thought of you 

More dear than ever seemed, 
As kindly words and noble acts 

Before my fancy teemed. 

Your gentle voice I seemed to hear, 

So pleasing and so sweet. 
As through its silent rooms I strayed 

With naught but gloom to greet; 
Still, tender words that mothers speak. 

Returned my heart to cheer, 
Lo, in the mansion on the hill, 

To-day to me so dear. 

The kind advice you gave me there 

Has proven a beacon-light. 
Ay, ay! when I have tempted been 

To wander from the right; 
The counselings that w^ere with truth 

And justice in accord. 
Which bade me learn to justly v/alk. 

And firmly trust in God. 

So, to my heart, the mansion on 

The hill will ever be 
A sweet remembrancer of you, 

I long again to see; 
Whom I shall never cease to prize 

So long as life is mine. 
While precious thoughts of you around 

My heart I love to twine. 



WHERE CAN I FIND SO TRUE A FRIEND? 

(A Good Mother.) 

Where can I find so true a friend 

In cold misfortune's hour, 
When I am forced to occupy 



34 Friendship and Home 

Sad tribulation's bower; 
When I, my sliip of life, am forced 

To steer with compass lost 
And I on trouble's boisterous sea 

Am most unkindly tossed? 

Where can I find so true a friend 

When sorrow worries me. 
When for loved ones I sigh and grieve, 

And long in vain to see; 
When I a confidant desire 

Whose word to truth is wed, 
Who never would for gold betray, 

But with the righteous tread? 

Where can I find so true a friend 

Lo, in the hour of need. 
Who can for me so deeply feel 

Or so devoutly plead; 
Who when bewildering trials come 

So tenderly can talk, 
When in the chairs of restlessness 

I am obliged to rock? 

Where can I find so true a friend 

Who talks so cheerfully, 
When on life's wintry side I look, 

Or thinks so oft of me; 
When I down-hearted feel, who can 

Sunshine so quickly bring. 
Or plead so earnestly with me 

The lays of hope to sing? 

Where can I find so true a friend 

Who will so faithfully 
My secrets keep, or in dark hours 

So nobly stand by me? 
No matter where I dwell or roam, 

A friend so good and kind, 
(So faithful when life's trials come, 

I know I'll never find. 



Friendship and Home 35 

I WOULD NOT LOVE TO FRIENDLESS BE. 

I would not love to friendless be, 

Whate'er my lot in life, 
While I am forced to dwell lo, in 

A world so full of strife; 
While I a social nature claim 

And conversation cheers, 
And I can shed, for those I love, 

Affection's hallowed tears. 

I would not love to friendless be. 

No matter where I dwelt. 
If I the sunny influence 

Of friendship e'er had felt; 
If I had ever known a friend 

Congenial to my heart. 
From whom I know it would, to me, 

Be painful e'er to part. 

I would not love to friendless be, 

For I would lonely feel — 
Though rich or poor — if I could not 

At friendship's altars kneel: 
If I should journey on alone 

In this wide world of ours — 
Like some, alas! who never see 

Affection's cherished flowers. 

I would not love to friendless be. 

While I prize happiness. 
So long as I love company. 

With joy, I now confess; 
While I am interested in 

Humanity and care, 
Like those who kindly hearts possess. 

How othors live and fare. 



THE MODEL FRIEND. 

The model friend is one who loves 

To always kindly act 
Toward those who highly prize their word 



36 Friendship and Home 

And are by honor backed; 
Who strives to keep his promises, 

Whatever they may be. 
And from the vile resorts of sin 

Is not ashamed to flee. 

Who of another's feelings thinks 

And is to kindness wed, 
Believing it is just and wise 

To be to treachery dead; 
Who never would advantage take 

Of those who wisdom lack. 
Or to please underhandedness 

Deceive behind one's back. 

Who is a friend to etiquette, 

At home as well's abroad. 
And in the fields of foolishness 

Is never known to plod; 
• Who has a heart that even for 

An enemy can feel. 
And at the shrine of haughty pride 

Is never known to kneel. 

Who never loves to rudely act, 

But wooes civility, 
And from what can degrade or harm 

Is one who would be free; 
Who can for others sacrifice 

And do a kindly turn. 
And lessons wise from lowly minds 

Be not ashamed to learn. 

Who would not be to selfishness 

A base and heartless slave. 
Or to please cold, unfeeling greed 

Act like a grasping knave; 
Who plays the part of gentleman, 

Wherever he may be. 
And, never to please cruel spite, 

Would make an enemy. 

Who to right-living is a friend, 
At home and when abroad— 



Friendship and Home 37 



A friend who dares to justly walk 

And to believe in God; 
Who loves to smile and kindly speak, 

And looks on the bright side. 
And with the worthy and the wise 

Forever would abide. 



I LOVE A SUNNY-HEARTED FRIEND. 

I love a sunny-hearted friend 

Who always has a smile. 
And with a pessimist would not 

His leisure time ere while; 
Who on the sunny side of life 

Is always to be found, 
And for his kindly deeds and words 

Is one who is renowned. 

A friend who ne'er my feelings harms 

Or strives to injure me. 
But one who would rejoice if I 

Could more of sunshine see; 
Who can a solemn secret keep 

And smile when others frown, 
And never, like the mean, would kick 

A brother when he's down. 

A friend who can be sociable 

And a good iime enjoy. 
And, never to please cruel spite, 

A neighbor e'er annoy; 
Who don't believe all that he hears 

And far from gossips strays, 
And, never for the love of gain, 

His fellow-men betrays. 

A friend who keeps his promises, 

On whom one can rely, 
Who to act under-handedly 

No money e'er could buy; 
Who would not be a slave to greed 

Or foolish act for pride, 
But everywhere be pleased with sense 

And kindliness to side. 



38 Friendship and Home 

HOME AND FRIENDS. 

I love to sing of happy days, 

Of seasons long ago, 
When I the golden seeds of love 

And pleasure used to sow; 
When I had friends, so kind and true. 

And an inviting home. 
Where those I loved contented seemed 

And never longed to roam. 

Refrain: 
I love to sing of happy days, 

Of seasons long ago, 
When I the golden seeds of love 

And pleasure used to sdw. 

I love to think of those I prized 

When I in childhood played 
In genial summer-time, when we 

Through vales and meadows strayed; 
Of friends that I could always trust, 

Who were so dear to me. 
When in the careless days of yore. 

To wander, I was free. 

I love in fancy to behold 

The home that sheltered me 
When I, with parents that I'll ne'er 

Forget, so loved to be; 
To sit beside the hearth and sing, 

And pleasing stories tell, 
And watch my mother smile at jokes 

My father loved so well. 

I love in thought to be again 

With friends I'll ne'er forget, 
Who were the sunshine of my heart — 

Whose like I ne'er have met; 
And in imagination seem 

In childhood's home to be. 
When I with smiling plenty dwelt 

Free from adversity. 



Friendship and Home 39 

COUPLETS. 

In trying hours, true friends play well their part — 
Thus showing others that they have a heart. 

True friends rejoice when you are prospering, 
And to your door kind wishes love to bring. 

From home be one who loves to banish strife, 
And, what may breed contention, dare to knife. 

When love is absent home less ploasing seems, 
And Avith the seeds of discord often teems. 

If you would have a pleasant home, then be 
A constant friend to love and harmony. 

From those who love to twit and slur 
One ought to flee— as from a cur. 

Be thankful if you have a happy home. 
And from its fold but rarely wish to roam. 

A sunny home is bliss, indeed, 

To those who goodness' precepts heed. 

The home that shelters cheerfulness 
Its happy inmates loves to bless. 

Home is no place to twit and slur, 
Or to create a needless stir. 

True friends and a good home, how dear 
To those who love and happiness revere! 

Fretting makes home a dismal place, 
Or fools do ne'er their names disgrace. 

At home to one and all be kind. 
While you love right and peace of mind. 

Be pleased when you can aid a friend, 
When you his honor would defend. 



40 Friendship and Home 

Of a good home a champion be, 
Or you less happiness may see. 

Lo! of home training, never lightly speak 

While you dread to be called a senseless freak. 



MOTHER AT HOME. 

How sweet it seems when evening dawns 

To see my mother's face, 
On which I never can the signs 

Of pessimism trace; 
To see her in the home I've known 

Since I in boyhood played, 
Since in the sunny fields, so near, 

I first with loved ones strayed! 

How then I love to listen to 

Her gentle voice so sweet, 
When I from wearing toil am free — 

Ah! then, oh, what a treat! 
To listen to her good advice 

And words of love and cheer. 
To ponder them, as justice v/ould, 

From one to me so dear! 

How happy I shall ever be 

While mother dear at home 
Makes life so bright and sunny seem 

And bids me not to roam; 
While one I call "my dearest friend," 

Shall love and feel for me, 
And, in her old arm-chair, I can 

Her hallowed imas-e see! 



IF YOU WOULD NOT A FRIEND E'ER LOSE. 

If you would not a friend e'er lose 

Be careful what you say. 
Wherever you may be, and with 

The wise be pleased to stray; 



Friendship and Home 41 

Aye, cautious what you do, lest you 

Should needlessly offend. 
And much, alas! against your will 

A hand to folly lend. 

See that you never twit or slur. 

Or talk behind one's back. 
Or dare to play a double part, 

Or in good-nature lack; 
But walk, lo, in the paths of one 

Who would treat others well. 
And with the upright and the good 

Wish you might always dwell. 

To sacrifice for friendship's sake, 

Be ever willing to, 
And to the vows that you have made. 

Don't fail lo, to be true. 
Or you may lose a worthy friend 

And act short-sightedly. 
Like those who far from wisdom stray 

And from discretion flee. 

Be careful not to ever slight 

Or dare to coldly greet 
One whom you love and reverence. 

Or wish to meanly treat; 
If you would not a friend e'er lose 

While on your journey through 
This world of sunshine, storm and care, 

And to your vows be true. 



BE THANKFUL FOR A HAPPY HOME. 

Be thankful for a happy home 

Where love delights to reign, 
And peace and sweet contentedness 

Are never known to wane; 
If you desire to wisely act 

And value happiness. 
And, like the good, your family 

Be ever pleased to bless. 



42 Friendship and Home 

Be thankful for a happy home 

Where all contented feel. 
And love to take an interest 

In one another's weal; 
Where discord is a sound unknown, 

And sunshine loves to cheer 
Like kindly words do one who finds 

Life's journey dark and drear. 

Be thankful for a happy home, 

However poor it be, 
Where all do one another please 

And dwell in harmony; 
Where all their duty love to do 

And on injustice frown, 
Like those who with uprightness walk 

And on base motives frown. 

Be thankful for a happy home 

Where goodness doth abide, 
And none, on what can tell for sin, 

Are ever known to side; 
While you possess a grateful heart 

And worth appreciate, 
And you the blessings of sweet home 

Refuse to underrate. 



HOME AND FRIENDS. 

Be thankful if you have a home 
Where love and kindness reign, 

Where those you love delight to dwell 
And love doth never wane. 

Be thankful if your friends are true. 

And for you really care, 
Wliile you possess a grateful heart 

And signs of goodness wear. 

Be thankful if your home is one 

In which you happy feel 
Whenever 'neath its sheltering roof 

You sit, or stand, or kneel. 



Friendship and Home 43 

Be thankful if your friends believe 

In living a good life. 
And joining hands with those who dare 

To frown on needless strife. 

Be thankful if your home is what 

You think it ought to be — 
A place where none unhappy feel, 

But all fair sunshine see. 

Be thankful if your friends are all 

That goodness doth desire. 
If they are never known to tread 

In meanness' slimy mire. 

Be thankful if your home is bright 

And cheery every day, 
If what for happiness can tell 

Is never prone to stray. 

Be thankful if your friends make life 

For you more sunny seem, 
If they, when in your company, 

With sweet good-nature teem. 



UNWORTHY FRIENDS. 

Better avoid unworthy friends 

While you prize happiness. 
And, in your heart of hearts, desire 

Your fellow-men to bless; 
While you sweet peace of mind admire 

And from discord would flee. 
If you with those who wisely walk 

The joys of life would see. 

Better avoid unworthy friends 

While you would rightly live, 
If you would not to foolishness 

Your time and money give; 
While you revere a worthy name 

And labor to do good. 
If. you would act a noble part 

And do as justice would. 



44 Friendship and Home 



Better avoid unworthy friends 

While you on earth aspire 
To be of some account in life 

And noble aims admire; 
While you life's quicksands would avoid 

And on safe ground reside, 
If you would please the good and not 

With senseless folly side. 

Better avoid unworthy friends. 

Lest you be led astray, 
And, sooner than you think, be coaxed 

To tread the downward way; 
While you to meannv:)ss are a foe 

And to good-sense a friend, 
If you, to sin, do never wish 

A helping hand to lend. 

Better avoid unworthy friends 

Wherever you may be — 
Ay! better to be friendless than 

To seek their company; 
While you aspire to make your mark 

In goodness' fruitful field. 
If you would stand by righteousness 

And not to folly yield. 



A LOVELESS HOME. 

O may it never be your lot 

To dwell lo, in a home 
From whence, in order to find peace, 

You are obliged tO roam; 
Where hatred takes the place of love 

And sunshine none e'er see. 
While night and day is plainly heard 

The groans of misery! 

With those, oh may you never live 
Who rather froY>^n than smile, 

Who happy seem when they at home 
Can others' feelings rile; 



Friendship and Home , 45 

But with the sunny-hearted, may 

You live life's fleeting hours 
With those who cheer, like kindly words. 

Or summer's sweetest flowers! 

Ay! in a loveless home may you 

Be never forced to dwell 
While to your ear are softly sweet 

The sounds of kindness' bell; 
While you prize peace and happiness 

And quarreling abhor. 
And with your fellow beings dread 

To always be at war. 



GOOD HOMES. 

How fortunate, indeed, are they 

Who live in a good home. 
Who to find peace and happiness 

Are never forced to roam; 
Where bad examples none e'er set. 

But goodness loves to reign, 
And aught that can upbuild and bless 

Is never known to wane. 

Where mothers — worthy of the name — 

Their young do rightly rear, 
And through their love and usefulness 

Their names to home endear; 
Where brothers and where sisters, too, 

In harmony abide, 
And with base jealousy and hate 

Are never known to side. 

Where worthy fathers justly act, 

And for their offspring care, 
And never, night or day. the frowns 

Of ugliness e'er wear; 
Where smiles, in place of scowls, are seen 

And sunshine's blessed rays. 
And all are known to daily strive 

To* walk in kindness' ways. 



46 Friendship and Home 

Where children are taught how to mind 

And how to act and talk, 
And in the chairs of foolishness 

Are never known to rock; 
When all aspire to live a life 

Approved by righteousness, 
And, never to please vanity, 

Are slaves to show and dress. 

Where works that benefit are read 

And all improvement love. 
And none within its fold are rude, 

But harmless as a dove; 
Where none home-training's worth despise. 

Or at refinement sneer — 
The home where love and duty reign. 

To worth and goodness dear. 



NOW IN A MANSION HOME I DWELL. 

Now in a mansion home, I dwell, 

I ought to thankful be, 
While I am far removed from want 

And cheerless poverty; 
And to my Maker grateful feel 

For blessings I enjoy, 
If I would rationally act 

And not with folly toy. 

Now I dine on the best and sleep 

Lo, on a downy bed, 
And to the comforts wealth can give 

I know that I am wed; 
While happiness my 'pathway strews 

With blossoms bright and sweet, 
And in my daily intercourse 

True friends I often meet. 

Ay! for the blessings gold bestows, 

Lo! in return, I ought 
To justly live and walk with those 

Who noble deeds have wrought; 
If I would act consistently 



Friendship and Home 47 

And frown on foolish pride. 
And with what tells for righteousness 
Be always pleased to side. 



A WORTHY HOME, INDEED. 

The home where love and justice reign 
And goodness' influence ne'er'll wane. 

Where smiling faces one can see 
And with the friends of kindness be. 

Wher^ the good-natured feel at home 
And to find peace don't have to roam. 

Where peevishness no welcome finds, 
But cheerfulness with sunshine dines. 

Where one, another strives to please, 
And with what can upbuild, agrees. 

Where worthy aims are not unknown 
And seeds of sin are never sown. 

Where all ideals high can woo 
And to their vows be ever true. 

Where happiness is wont to bless 
And all are friends to righteousness. 

Where fault-finding's unpopular 
And all bad language would debar. 

Where all believe in God and right 
And shun whate'er can curse and blight. 

Where children knowingly are reared 
And to their parents are endeared. 

Where harmony loves to prevail 

And none make fun of those who fail. 



48 Friendship and Home 

Where lessons wise are daily learned 
And what improves is soon discerned. 

Where gentleness is not despised 
And kindly deeds are highly prized. 

In such a home all ought to dwell 
Who love to ring right-living's bell. 



WHEN SUMMER FRIENDS ARE FEW. 

When empty is your pocket-book 

And you are poorly fed, 
When forlorn is your lot and you 

To poverty are wed. 
Then summer friends are few. 

When you are forced to seek for aid 

By cold necessity, 
When with ill-luck you have to dine, 

And sleep with penury. 
Then summer friends are few. 

When you are forced to poorly dress 

And live most anywhere, 
When by the world you oft are shunned,. 

Like those who roughly fare. 
Then summer friends are few^ 

When you the pangs of hunger feel 

And gloomy is j^our lot. 
When you are down and destitute. 

And long to be forgot, 
Then summer friends are few. 



MY DEAR OLD HOME JUST FOR TO-NIGHT. 

Just for to-night, oh! let me view again 

My dear old home that sheltered me 
When I was young through childhood's carele.S3 daj'i 

And helpless hours of infancy; 
The little cot, so precious to my heart. 



Friendship and Home 49 

Now I am growing old and sray. 
Oh, let me see again ere I, alas! 
From mortal scenes have nasned away. 

Chorus: 
My dear old home, just for to-night, 

I'm longing now to see. 
The cot I loved when I was young, 

That kindly sheltered me. ' ' 

Just for to-night, oh! let me hear again 

The voices once so fondly sv/eet, 
Of loving friends who never proved untrue — 

The friends I'm longing now to greet; 
That I may hear the ticking of the clock 

And creaking of the old arm-chair — 
To think myself a child again and bid 

Adieu to trouble, pain and care. 

Just for to-night, oh! let me k'ss again 

Sweet faces far more dear than gold, 
Of father and of mother kind and true — 

The faces that will ne'er grow old 
While love endears and recollection charms. 

And gratitude can bud and bloom — 
While I can gaze with hope's entrancing orbs 

Beyond the portals of the tomb. 

Just for to-night, oh! let me live again 

The past within my dear old home — 
The golden hours and blissful moments sweet 

Ere far away I went to roam; 
And 'round the cosy hearth, with those I love. 

Fond memory's scenes live o'er — 
The joyous scenes that never'U cease to bloom 

On childhood's never-fading shore. 



O HOW I LOVE A FRIEND WHO'S DEAR TO ME! 

O how I love a friend who's dear to me! 

Whose smiles are always sweet. 
With whom I like to pass life's sunnv hours 

And dearly love to greet; 



50 Friendship and Home 

A friend on whom I ever can depend 
When smooth or rough life's sea. 

Who shims the haunts of selfishness 
And loves to cheerful be. 

Refrain: 
O how I love a friend who's dear to me! 

Whose smiles are always sweet. 
With whom I like to pass life's sunnv hours 

And dearly love to greet. 

With one who never looks on the dark side — 

A friend who's dear to me — 
Lo, in his sunny company so bright 

How I delight to be! 
With one who loves to be affectionate 

And always just and kind. 
Who in a feeling heart believes and in 

Nobility of mind. 

How light and happy then I feel, while I 

His Idndly voice can hear. 
When in his presence I am pleased to list 

To words of love and cheer! 
Because, so true a friend, not every day 

It is my lot to meet, 
As through life's winding paths I roam— a friend 

To me so kind and sweet. 



NEVER ILL TREAT A FRIEND. 

Whatever you may do in life. 
Oh, ne'er ill treat a friend! 

But rather when a chance occurs 
Be quick lo, to defend. 

If he has faults, you may have, too. 

So never hasty act 
Like one, alas! who seems to lack 

In charity and tact. 



Friendship and Home 51 

BE GRATEFUL FOR FRIENDLY DEEDS. 

To friends who have been kind to you 

Ungrateful never be. 
But through your acts and words, that you 

Are thankful, let them see; 
That you appreciate what they 

In your behalf have done, 
And of their noble efforts ne'er 

Desire lo, to make fun. 

To those who have befriended you 

Lo, in the hour of need. 
Who, through their generous acts have shov/n 

That they are friends, indeed, 
Be ever thankful, kind and true. 

And for them kindly feel. 
And never long to say or do 

Aught that may harm their weal. 

MY BOYHOOD'S HAPPY HOIVIE. 

To-day I wandered back again 

To Sterling's vales so green, 
Near by Wauchusett's shady slopes. 

Where I so oft have been. 

Where childhood played, I strolled to-day, 

Around my boyhood's home. 
O'er hill and dale, through glen and grove. 

Where I was wont to roam. 

Though many a landmark is no more, 

Still, I can plainly see 
The little cot where I was reared— 

The friend of infancy. 

How sweet it seems to linger here. 

Where once I roamed so free. 
When all the world before me lay 

Far from adversity; 



52 Friendship and Home 

Y/hen genial hope my pathway lit 

With many a dazzling light, 
And harmless pleasures often shone 

Along life's highway, bright! 

'Twas joy to me when trouble dwelt 

From home far, far away, 
And anxious care intruded not 

On spring-time's sunny day. 

Though time has changed my boyhood's home. 

The pottery-shop and mill. 
Its playgrounds and their shady haunts, 

I love them dearly still. 

The blissful hours that here I spent 

I never shall regret; 
The happiest season of my life 

I never can forget. 

The village of my childhood's days 

I treasure with delight. 
And ever shall while memory lives 

Enjoy this cherished right. 

Look back, with pride, I often shall 

Upon its vales so green, 
And oft in thought live o'er again 

Some old famJliar scene. 



THEN, WHAT A FRIEND IS MONEY! 

Alas! when sharks in human form 

A mortgage would foreclose, 
And leave you shelterless, and you 

Contend with sordid foes; 
Then, what a friend is money! 

When you know not which way to turn, 

''Cause debts so multiply. 
And grim despair makes you desire 

From penury's haunts to fly; 
Then, w^hat a friend is money! 



Friendship and Home 53 

When you would in society shine 

And noticed wish to be. 
When you would be a favorite 

And please prosperity; 
Then, what a friend is money! 

When landlords warn you out and put 

Your goods down on the street, 
And you have no desire to live, 

But death would gladly greet; 
Then, what a friend is money! 

When greedy creditors would force 

You to talk suicide. 
And, if they had their say, would make 

You with the homeless 'bide; 
Then, what a friend is money! 

When you no way in life can see 

Your bills to promptly pay, 
And you, thereby, are forced lo, with 

The destitute to stay; 
Then, what a friend is money! 

When you your situation lose 

And want is hovering near. 
When prospects bright and cheery flee 

And poverty you fear; 
Then what a friend is money! 

Ay, ay! when unexpectedly 

Misfortune visits you. 
And empties soon your purse and malies 

You cry, "What shall I do?" 
Then, what a friend is money! 

When to the poor-house you believe 

That you must quickly go. 
Or when old-age weighs down, and you 

Have a hard row to hoe; 
Then, what a friend is money! 



54 Friendship and Home 

MY OLD NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME. 

I'm thinking of my old New Hampshire home, 

Now I am dwelling far away, 
Far from the happy home my boyhood knew, 

Now I am growing old and gray; 
I'm thinking of the granite hills I love, 

Of blooming vales and meadows fair, 
Where oft my childish feet with pleasure roamed 

When I was young and free from care. 

Again I rove where I in childhood played, 

Upon the soil where I was born^ 
And in the farm-house, as of old, I sit 

With those I love, now dead and gone; 
Sweet smiles I see and loving words I hear. 

From fond companions now no more. 
Who with me lived the sunny days of youth 

When we the smiles of pleasure wore. 

Among its granite hills and valleys green 

I live my childhood o'er again, 
As Mt. Monadnock and Mt. Washington 

Their lofty summits I attain; 
As down the fair Connecticut I glide. 

Or o'er its famous lakes I sail. 
As through the beech and maple groves I stroll 

When summer blooms on hill and dale. 

Again, I seem to quaff the cooling draught 

From many an old familiar spring, 
And, as of yore, beneath the balmy pines 

The joyous songs of youth I sing; 
While thinking of my old New Hampshire home. 

Of scenes to recollection dear. 
Of childhood's friends I nevermore shall see — 

The friends I love and most revere. 

Chorus: 
I'm thinking of my old New Hampshire home. 

Now I am dwelling far away. 
Far from its granite hills- and valleys green, 

Now I am growing old and gray; 
As I in fancy roam its sunny fields 



Friendship and Home 55 



I live my childhood o'er again, 
As I behold the cot that sheltered me 
When I was free from care and pain. 



OUR OLD LOG-CABIN HOME. 

To-night, thro' childhood's haunts again I roam, 

Down by my father's old log-cabin home, 

Down on the old plantation, as of yore, 

My careless feet so loved to wander o'er 

When pleasure reigned and happiness was mine. 

And I among the lasses used to shine; 

Where first I met my sweetheart on the green, 

When she was beautiful sweet Bessie Beane, 

Where once we wooed, ere aught we knew of gloom. 

When first the morning glories were in bloom. 

To-night, I hear the darkies sing again, 
Now by the cotton-fields I dance and train. 
As I in fancy love those merry hours 
When we so sweetly sang in shady bowers, 
When life and rosy hope before me lay 
And cold misfortune dwelt far, far away; 
Ere cruel changes came or sorrow tried. 
When I strolled carelessly o'er acres wide, 
And wooed so merrily down by the flume, 
When first the morning glories were in bloom. 

To-night, down in our cabin home, 1 see 
Sweet faces once so fond and dear to me; 
I see again the reverend pastor there 
The eve she looked so lovely and so fair, 
When gaily sang the blithesome nightingale 
And brightly beamed the stars o'er hill and dale; 
When, hand in hand, we vowed we'd faithful be 
Though fortune smiled or dark adversity — 
The vow we pledged as loving bride and groom 
When first the morning glories were in bloom. 

Now from these hallowed scenes tho' far we dwell, 
Far from the shady haunts we love so well. 
The old log-cabin home v/e've ne'er forgot 
Where first my sweetheart's hand I sought. 



56 Friendship and Home 

When life with all its charms before me lay, 
And she was sweet and beautiful as May; 
When o'er its walls the woodbine softly crept 
And love and peace and fond contentment slept, 
Where in sweet wedlock's wiles we met our doom 
When first the morning glories were in bloom. 



NO FRIEND, LIKE MONEY, HAVE I FOUND. 

No friend, like money, have I found 

I can with justice say, 
That by me has so firmly stood 

At home or far away; 
No helper in the hour of need 

So willing to befriend 
When hunger at my vitals gnaws 

And I to penury bend. 

No friend, wherever I have roamed, 

That's done so much for me 
To cause my life to be in touch 

Lo, with prosperity; 
That's strewn my path^vay v\^ith so much 

That tells for happiness. 
Or brought so oft to me the joys 

That comfort, cheer and bless. 

So, till I find some surer friend 

Who can do more for me. 
And pay more willingly my bills 

When in adversity, 
I'll not forget that I've ne'er found 

As money, such a friend, 
So willing in the hour of need 

A helping hand to lend. 



NO FRIEND. 

Who loves to twit you of your faults — 
How dark or light they be — 

Is not, indeed, a real friend. 
But a mean enemy. 



Friendship and Home 57 

Who likes your feelings oft to wound 

In a cold-hearted way. 
And in your presence never cares 

About what he may say. 

Who can, whenever so inclined. 

With pleasure backbite you. 
And, in your path the thorns of hate 

Be not afraid to strew. 

Who dares to falsify, to mar 

Your reputation dear, 
And on some dangerous reef your bark 

Of life would gladly steer. 

Who happy feels when slurring you, 

No matter when or where. 
And smiling sweetly when you know 

What 'tis to roughly fare. 

CHILDHOOD'S HAPPY HOME. 

Home of my childhood, ah, how^ changed, I see! 

Where I in boyhood lived and roamed so free; 

Now, after many years, again I view 

My father's cot, near where the maples grew, 

Midst scenes that long ago I loved so well. 

When in a country ville I used to dwell; 

And, as I list, I hear no sounds within. 

No welcome voice that w^ould attention win — 

Deserted lo, I but too plainly see. 

This moss-grown relic, once so dear to me! 

Still I can trace where oft my feet have trod. 

Where my dear mother knelt in prayer to God. 

The little room, tho' bare, reminds me still 

How earnestly she prayed for his good-will; 

Where father's kindly voice I seem to hear. 

And sister's smiles I see, to me so dear; 

Now, on Its walls, it is my lot to gaze 

And live again my childhood's sunny days. 

As I' in thought recall the joyous hours 

When I so loved to rove 'mong pleasure's flowers. 



58 Friendship and Home 



To-day within the village church I sat, 
Where often congregate the lean and fat. 
Dear bosom friends — companions of the past — 
Who, I'll remember till I've breathed my last. 
But, oh! the faces that I saw were new 
And strange to me — ay, e'en the parson's, too. 
I saw but three to-day — ay, only three, 
In all the congregation known by me, 
And they the blade of time had marked so plain, 
To know, I had to stare and stare again. 

But yesterday I saw the district-school, 

Where many a comrade felt the master's rule, 

And learning bade our roving thoughts be still. 

While education curbed each stubborn will; 

Now weather-worn and marked by thoughtless time, 

It stands to view, like yonder aged lime, 

Betokening the fate that must be mine 

When with old-age at last I'm forced to dine; 

Since all that's temporal must soon decay 

And slowly pass from mortal sight away. 

How sweet it seems once more to linger here 
In a fair ville to fond remembrance, dear. 
Or, as of yore, in peace to idly roam 
The sunny fields that cluster 'round my home, 
To pluck again the wild rose on the hill 
And hear the swallow^s twitter on the sill 
On this bright summer day, as when a child. 
When nature's charms to me so sweetly smiled; 
To meditate 'midst scenes I love so well. 
Where I in childhood was so pleased to dwell! 



NOV li 190? 



